The ancient Litany to the Holy Spirit gives us a great summary of who he is and his actions in our lives.

When speaking to his apostles before his crucifixion, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit when his time on earth ended. “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever … the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ” (John 14:16,25)

This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles. The Holy Spirit continues to be present and active in the world. However, we don’t always turn to the Holy Spirit as much as we should. Frequently, perhaps, we address our prayers to the Father or to Jesus, but how often do we invoke the Holy Spirit?

One of the reasons may be on account of our unfamiliarity with the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. We simply do not know how the Holy Spirit can influence our lives and so we naturally turn to the persons of the Trinity that we are most familiar with, instead of turning to the Holy Spirit.

Read more: The Holy Spirit as Divine Artist

Without going into the depths of Trinitarian theology, a simple way to draw closer to the Holy Spirit is to pray the ancient Litany to the Holy Spirit. Besides giving various titles to the Holy Spirit, such as “Comforter,” or “Sanctifier,” it also describes the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be invoked to “inflame us with the flame of Thy love,” or “enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.”

During this month dedicated to the Holy Spirit, let us pray the Litany to the Holy Spirit and learn more about the gift God has given us on our pilgrimage to Heaven.

Father all-powerful, have mercy on us. Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Spirit, Who proceed from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.

Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.

Author of all good, have mercy on us.

Source of heavenly water Consuming fire, have mercy on us.

Ardent charity, have mercy on us.

Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.

Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.

Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.

Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.

Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.

Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.

Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.

Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.

Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, the Comforter, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, Who governs the Church, have mercy on us.

Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.

Spirit Who fills the universe, have mercy on us.

Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, shed your light in our souls, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, engrave your law in our hearts, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of your love, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of your graces, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, enlighten us with your heavenly inspirations, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice, we beseech you hear us.

Holy Spirit, be your our everlasting reward, we beseech you hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Send us Thy Holy Spirit.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,

R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let us pray.

Grant, O merciful Father, that your Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who with you, in the unity of the same Spirit, live and reign, one God, forever and ever.